Senior Financial Analyst

Lewis County Transit; Centralia (WA); In loco; USD 90.000 - 120.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Lewis County Transit is seeking a Senior Finance Analyst to lead accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, and procurement in support of public transit operations in Washington. The role reports to the Executive Director and partners with senior leadership, auditors, grantors, and external partners to safeguard public funds and enable capital and operating needs.

You will drive financial controls, prepare budgets and forecasts, manage cash and vendor payments, and coordinate grant

Competenze

• High school diploma required; two years of financial, accounting, bookkeeping, or equivalent experience.
• Preferred: Bachelor's or Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Admin, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and reporting.

Mansioni

• Manage agency accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, and procurement functions.
• Maintain official records following governmental accounting principles and month-end processes.
• Prepare invoices, grant reporting, and ensure timely revenue recognition from various sources.
• Coordinate with executive leadership, auditors, grantors, and external partners on financial matters.
• Oversee procurement, vendor contracts, and compliance with policies and regulations.
• Assist in annual budgeting, forecasts, and variance analysis with department heads.
• Support state and federal grant applications and compliance reporting.

Conoscenze

Technology skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Governmental finance

Budget management

MS Office / Accounting software

Formazione

High school diploma

Bachelor's or Associate degree

Descrizione del lavoro

The Senior Finance Analyst is responsible for the agency's accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, and procurement functions. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role ensures the organization's financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and long-term fiscal stability. As a member of the senior management team, the Senior Finance Analyst provides financial leadership, analysis, and guidance that support informed decision-making, working closely with executive leadership, department heads, auditors, grantors, and external partners to manage public funds responsibly and support the operational and capital needs of a public transit organization.

Essential Functions

• Assists the Executive Director in planning and developing department goals, objectives, and systems related to the agency's financial health.
• Oversees financial controls and procedures for agency accounting policies; researches and recommends policy and procedure updates to reflect changing law and best practices.
• Provides financial analysis and recommends performance benchmarks; presents financial information using metrics, analytics, and data dashboards.
• Maintains official accounting records in conformance with governmental accounting principles, including cash disbursements and receipts, accounts payable and receivable, month-end payroll summary, and general ledger adjusting entries.
• Manages agency checking accounts and credit cards; receives and reconciles credit card reports and communicates with employees regarding receipt reconciliation.
• Consults with the agency's external accountant and/or the State Auditor's Office on accounting and recordkeeping matters.
• Assists the Executive Director in managing vendor and intergovernmental contracts in accordance with agency procurement policies.
• Processes vendor payments, including verifying federal ID numbers, reviewing purchase orders, resolving discrepancies, identifying discount opportunities, and issuing purchase order amendments or stop-payment orders as needed; ensures recurring bills are paid timely by credit card or ACH.
• Prepares invoices for Dial-a-Ride service agreements and fleet advertising; ensures revenues from EV charging, Stripe, and other electronic payments are entered timely.
• Participates with the Executive Director in preparing the annual budget and forecasts; partners with department leaders to project budget impacts; meets regularly with department heads to review budget vs. actual reports; brings proposed line-item adjustments to the Executive Director; conducts periodic budget audits and reports significant variances to leadership.
• Assists with researching and applying for state and federal grants; evaluates feasibility and alignment with the strategic plan; analyzes grant financial requirements prior to submission and payment.

Payroll

• Enters and maintains payroll information, including rates, salaries, bonuses, time worked, paid leave and holidays, deductions, withholdings, and address changes.
• Ensures proper processing of tax, benefit, and other deductions; issues replacement or final checks and direct deposits as needed.
• Records and processes federal and state payroll tax deposits.

Reporting

• Works with the Executive Director to submit monthly or quarterly grant progress reports and reimbursement requests, including supporting documentation (invoices, warrants, vendor contracts), ridership data, and expenditure invoices.
• Prepares fiscal estimates, fiscal reports, and financial statements in a timely manner.
• Coordinates and reviews the external accounting firm's work on financial statements, notes, and schedules for the State Auditor Annual Report; provides information for annual audits.
• Submits required payroll reports accurately and on time, including Form 941, ESD Paid Family and Medical Leave and Unemployment Insurance reports, L&I Workers' Compensation reports, and annual W-2s; prepares annual 1099s for qualifying vendors.
• Assists with required reports, including the Management Discussion & Analysis, Annual Asset Inventory, National Transit Database, Transit Asset Management Plan, Summary of Public Transportation, Transit Development Plan, Department of Revenue Annual Excise & Use Tax Return, and annual SAM renewal.

Procurement

• Works with staff to prepare Requests for Proposals and Invitations to Bid in accordance with agency procurement policies and state/federal requirements.
• Serves on evaluation committees to review proposals and bids and select vendors.
• Supports capital asset projects to ensure goals, budgets, and timelines are met.

Organizational Support

• Responds to insurance requests and initiates claims following accidents or incidents.
• Serves as a key member of the senior management team and Executive Staff, providing strategic input and contributing to agency-wide policy development and the strategic plan.
• Attends and leads agency meetings, serves on committees, and represents the agency through presentations at meetings, conferences, and industry events.
• Participates with the Executive Director in union negotiations and assists with agency legal matters as assigned.
• Projects a positive image of the organization to employees, customers, industry, and community.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent technology skills and financial aptitude; reliable, trustworthy, and respectful of confidential information.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of governmental financial practices and state and federal rules and regulations.
• Ability to create and manage agency budgets.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, accounting software, and other agency technology.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged sitting and computer work.
• Ability to access and navigate transit facilities and buses.
• Ability to stand for long periods at community events.
• Lift up to 20 pounds.

Travel

Travel is primarily local during the business day; some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.

Education and Experience

Required:

• High school diploma.
• Two years of financial, accounting, bookkeeping, or equivalent experience with a similar organization or a major CPA firm.

Preferred:

• CPA designation highly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree (or associate degree) in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience performing complex financial analysis, accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible experience may substitute for the preferred degree.

Probationary Period

Six months from date of hire.

EEO Statement

Lewis County Transit provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Other Duties

This job description may not include every activity, duty, or responsibility required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.